Post by jenhatter06 on Apr 3, 2007 2:01:52 GMT 3
some gems from his post-match interview after winning 
Q. How does it feel to be the youngest champion in the 23-year-old history of this prestigious event?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It feels great. It feels great. Every time you win something or you are the youngest player or you make any record, I mean, it certainly feels great. It means that your name is in the history of the sport. I am very proud of that.
I know that I worked hard throughout all my career to reach this point, and I hope that this is just the beginning of a long career, I hope. You know, there is always these injuries which are a big factor, and a big problem in the sport in general, especially in tennis where you need to take care of your whole body. I hope I'll stay healthy and have a long career.
Q. Did you plan out -- had you thought about in your mind what you would say if you win? I mean, it seemed very poised and mature for someone who was winning a first big tournament. Is that something you had imagined in your mind or was that spontaneous?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think it's spontaneous. I just like to -- I just like to enjoy the moment, whatever I do. I think it's very -- it's just me. It depends. Every person is different, and everybody does it differently, everything what they do.
But me, I just -- I was focused, really, throughout all the match. I was physically a little bit going down in the third set, and I knew if I lose the third set, it's going to be very difficult for me, because Cañas is, you know, physically probably fitter than me. He's Argentinian, they go for the clay, six hours a day probably they play. No, I'm joking.
Just that really I enjoy every moment. I think that the crowd needs that and loves it. They really salute and applaud for every positive speech.
Q. Where did you succeed, what was the difference, why were you able to beat him where Roger could not?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean I cannot now give any advices or tips to Roger (laughing). It would be not so nice, you know. He's No. 1, probably the best player ever in the history of this sport.
But you always have a bad day. Probably Indian Wells was his first match. So he played not good that day. And here he was playing better, but still, he was probably mentally thinking about the past match in Indian Wells.
So it's a lot of things, you know. It just depends from the player, you know.
I think what I was trying to do today is to stay patient in the points because I knew that Guillermo is a player which really fights every ball. He's a big fighter, big competitor.
But he really doesn't have any of his shots -- all the shots are pretty solid, but none of them is like a weapon, you know. So I was trying to stay patient, but still be very aggressive, and I managed to do that.
Q. What was it like hearing yourself being introduced by Butch saying, "Tennis has a new star"?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: A big moment. Big moment. I wanted to go there and kiss him (laughter). But yeah, people probably think that I am the biggest potential of tennis right now. I feel very, very proud about it, and especially when I receive such a compliment from a person who is for a very, very long time in tennis. And I just hope that I'll become the best player one day.
Q. Talk about the feeling of getting that final point, and you lay on the court. What's going through your head? Was that a relaxation or --
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, honestly, honestly the last game when I was 30-0 up, I was thinking about the victory. And then I made two bad mistakes, and I was in trouble, which is not supposed to happen. I'll work on that in the future.
But on the last point was really, I said, I'm going for the forehand, I don't care. If I make mistake, I break racquet. And then I just fell down to the ground. I was very happy, it was a very emotional moment for me.
Q. You initiated the hug. Usually it's the Spanish that initiate the hug.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Really? Now it's Serbian (laughing).
Q. Can you talk about that just a little? You obviously showed him a lot of support. And you said in the speech, after everything he had been through. What do you feel about your opponent today?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Sure. I honestly met him the first time here. I've seen him playing on the television and seen him maybe one time before.
But I met him here, and he's a fantastic guy. Fantastic guy. And really, with a lot of emotions playing. And I like these kind of players. Playing with a lot of emotions, who are always smiling and positive. That's great.
He deserves to be in the final. He was fighting for this tournament a lot. You see the Argentinian fans supporting him throughout all the tournament. It's always good to see something new in tennis.
Q. Why did you give your racquet away, and how did you choose who to give it to?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I gave -- well, like I said before, it was a very emotional moment for me. So I was thinking even to put away my shoes and shorts and everything (laughter). But I said, okay, it's okay, it's okay. Television is here so I'll keep that. Well, I just probably saw a nice girl in the stands (laughter).
Q. How does it feel to be the youngest champion in the 23-year-old history of this prestigious event?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It feels great. It feels great. Every time you win something or you are the youngest player or you make any record, I mean, it certainly feels great. It means that your name is in the history of the sport. I am very proud of that.
I know that I worked hard throughout all my career to reach this point, and I hope that this is just the beginning of a long career, I hope. You know, there is always these injuries which are a big factor, and a big problem in the sport in general, especially in tennis where you need to take care of your whole body. I hope I'll stay healthy and have a long career.
Q. Did you plan out -- had you thought about in your mind what you would say if you win? I mean, it seemed very poised and mature for someone who was winning a first big tournament. Is that something you had imagined in your mind or was that spontaneous?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think it's spontaneous. I just like to -- I just like to enjoy the moment, whatever I do. I think it's very -- it's just me. It depends. Every person is different, and everybody does it differently, everything what they do.
But me, I just -- I was focused, really, throughout all the match. I was physically a little bit going down in the third set, and I knew if I lose the third set, it's going to be very difficult for me, because Cañas is, you know, physically probably fitter than me. He's Argentinian, they go for the clay, six hours a day probably they play. No, I'm joking.
Just that really I enjoy every moment. I think that the crowd needs that and loves it. They really salute and applaud for every positive speech.
Q. Where did you succeed, what was the difference, why were you able to beat him where Roger could not?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean I cannot now give any advices or tips to Roger (laughing). It would be not so nice, you know. He's No. 1, probably the best player ever in the history of this sport.
But you always have a bad day. Probably Indian Wells was his first match. So he played not good that day. And here he was playing better, but still, he was probably mentally thinking about the past match in Indian Wells.
So it's a lot of things, you know. It just depends from the player, you know.
I think what I was trying to do today is to stay patient in the points because I knew that Guillermo is a player which really fights every ball. He's a big fighter, big competitor.
But he really doesn't have any of his shots -- all the shots are pretty solid, but none of them is like a weapon, you know. So I was trying to stay patient, but still be very aggressive, and I managed to do that.
Q. What was it like hearing yourself being introduced by Butch saying, "Tennis has a new star"?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: A big moment. Big moment. I wanted to go there and kiss him (laughter). But yeah, people probably think that I am the biggest potential of tennis right now. I feel very, very proud about it, and especially when I receive such a compliment from a person who is for a very, very long time in tennis. And I just hope that I'll become the best player one day.
Q. Talk about the feeling of getting that final point, and you lay on the court. What's going through your head? Was that a relaxation or --
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, honestly, honestly the last game when I was 30-0 up, I was thinking about the victory. And then I made two bad mistakes, and I was in trouble, which is not supposed to happen. I'll work on that in the future.
But on the last point was really, I said, I'm going for the forehand, I don't care. If I make mistake, I break racquet. And then I just fell down to the ground. I was very happy, it was a very emotional moment for me.
Q. You initiated the hug. Usually it's the Spanish that initiate the hug.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Really? Now it's Serbian (laughing).
Q. Can you talk about that just a little? You obviously showed him a lot of support. And you said in the speech, after everything he had been through. What do you feel about your opponent today?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Sure. I honestly met him the first time here. I've seen him playing on the television and seen him maybe one time before.
But I met him here, and he's a fantastic guy. Fantastic guy. And really, with a lot of emotions playing. And I like these kind of players. Playing with a lot of emotions, who are always smiling and positive. That's great.
He deserves to be in the final. He was fighting for this tournament a lot. You see the Argentinian fans supporting him throughout all the tournament. It's always good to see something new in tennis.
Q. Why did you give your racquet away, and how did you choose who to give it to?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I gave -- well, like I said before, it was a very emotional moment for me. So I was thinking even to put away my shoes and shorts and everything (laughter). But I said, okay, it's okay, it's okay. Television is here so I'll keep that. Well, I just probably saw a nice girl in the stands (laughter).
! He is a pretty funny guy too!!!! And sweet, awwww....
Sixpack guard 
, and messing around with Nikolay & Johnny Mac: 
Tsk,tsk... Marat has lots to learn from him